In a bid to give a boost to tourism sector, government has decided to finish the exercise to rationalise visa regime within two weeks and expedite development of facilities at 19 World Heritage Sites.

At a meeting of the inter-ministerial coordination committee for tourism sector convened by Prime Minister's Office (PMO), it was also decided that a sub-committee consisting of secretaries of Tourism, Rural Development and Labour ministries be set up to identify employment potential in tourism and hospitality sectors.

This committee will make recommendations regarding specific training and skill development requirements and prepare an action plan. It was also decided that the Culture Ministry will expedite the development of essential facilities like tourist facilitation and information centres, souvenir shops and toilet facilities at 19 World Heritage Sites managed by ASI.

The Ministry will also take an early decision on proposals received in this connection by the ASI from ITDC. A PMO statement said the ongoing exercise of rationalisation of visa regime should be completed by the Home Ministry within two weeks. The Tourism Ministry will also work out an action plan for imparting training of the Immigration staff within four weeks.

The state governments will also be requested to partner the exercise for creation of tourist facilitation and infrastructure facilities in all 116 ticketed ASI monuments. The Committee noted that basic amenities and high standards of hygiene and cleanliness are essential for enhancing quality of experience that the country offers to the visitors.

The center in partnership with state governments will create tourism facilitation and infrastructure facilities in stages in all the116 ticketed Archeological Survey of India monuments in the country. The ASI will introduce computerised ticketing in the 116 monuments and audio-visual guides in 36 monuments in phases over a period of six months, the statement said.

During the meeting, Chatterjee emphasised the importance of tourism as a key sector for employment generation and economic development and stressed the need for all the ministries concerned to work toward the development of this important sector, the statement said. Tourism and hospitality in India is the largest service industry contributing up to 6.23 per cent of GDP and providing 8.78 per cent of the total employment opportunity in India.

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